June 10, 2009
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark - Before the meet was delayed for several hours due to severe thunder storms, the Nittany Lion track and field team managed to advance three athletes through the opening rounds of the NCAA Outdoor Championships, Wednesday at John McDonnell Field, on the campus of the University of Arkansas. Among the day one qualifiers were Nittany Lions sophomore Ryan Foster (Tasmania, Australia) in the 800-meters, sophomore Karlee McQuillen (Johnstown, Pa.) in the javelin, and junior Fawn Dorr (Akron, N.Y.) in the 400-meter hurdles. Following the nearly three hour delay, junior Bridget Franek (Hiram, Ohio) would also find a spot in an event final, advancing in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
Foster came through the opening lap in 51.85 - firming holding onto to second place going into the bell lap. The sophomore would clock 55.72 on his second lap, sprinting down the homestretch to edge Villanova's Sean Tully - 1:47.57 to 1:47.59 - for the heat victory. Foster, who clocked the fastest time of the day, bettered his previous personal best (1:48.79) by well over a second, while also improving his standing in Penn State history to fifth all-time.
Dorr would also guarantee herself a spot in the semi-finals, running 58.12 to earn one of the automatic-qualifying positions in the 400-meter hurdles. Dorr, who was also an NCAA semi-finalist in the event in 2008, would place second in her heat behind Deserea Brown of Illinois, who clocked 56.96. Dorr's run was the ninth best in qualifying, while UCLA's Nicole Leach posted the fastest performance of the day, going 56.46.
McQuillen grabbed the last qualifying spot in the javelin, thanks to a toss of 159-03 (48.54). McQuillen's effort was the 12th-best on the day and will carry her into Friday's final. Friday's competition will mark McQuillen's second-consecutive appearance in the NCAA final. UTEP freshman standout Anna Wessman had the best throw in the opening round with a toss of 181-05 (55.30). Sophomore Kim Hanslovan (DuBois, Pa.) just missed a spot in the final round, finishing 14th overall with an effort of 156-02 (47.61).
The long delay didn't deter Franek, who finished the steeplechase in 9:49.49 - the second-fastest run of her career. The junior and defending bronze medalist in the event sprinted straight to the front of the pack and cruised to one of the top five automatic-qualifying finishes. Franek's effort was good for second place in her heat, and was the second-fastest performance of the day. Michigan State's Nicole Bush posted the fastest qualifier at 9:49.35.
Sophomore Bianca Fung (North Babylon, N.Y.) and senior Gayle Hunter (Riverside, Calif.) took to the runway in the long jump competition, but failed to earn one of the qualifying spots, placing 21st and 27th, respectively.
Senior John Vellenoweth (Wheeling, W.Va.) also competed on Wednesday, but failed to clear a height in the men's pole vault. Vellenoweth ends his Penn State career as the school-record holder in both the indoor and outdoor pole vaults. Junior Ryan Fritz (Parkesburg, Pa.) also had a tough outing, missing his three attempts in the high jump.
Action at McDonnell Field continues tomorrow, beginning with Hunter in the heptathlon. The multi-events are set to start at 11:15 a.m.